Lancers Fall in Time Expired Heartbreaker on Senior Day to Framingham State

Worcester, MA- In the final game of the 2025 season, the Worcester State Lancers football team (3-6, 3-5) hosted Framingham State. The game was also played in honor of the 2025 senior class of Jake Ambrose (Middleboro, MA), Cam Ayotte (Millbury, MA), Aaron Becker (Natick, MA), Zach Collman (Dracut, MA), Sean Daly (Westfield, MA), Micah Haynes (Worcester, MA), Gavin Lepage (Auburn, ME), Brandel Orhin (Worcester, MA), Harley Philippe (Lowell, MA), Joe Sasso (Nassau, NY), Caleb Thompson (Sturbridge, MA), Nathan Winco (Sturbridge, MA), Sy'Air James (Stratford, CT) and Damian Mitchell (Lancaster, PA). 

Final

Worcester State: 27

Framingham State: 28

How it Happened:

The Blue and Gold, looking to finish the season on a high note, opened the game with the ball. Both Worcester State and Framingham State went 3-and-out on their opening drives, but the Lancers quickly found their rhythm on their second possession. Taking advantage of a short field, junior Jermaine Norfleet (Agawam, MA), operating out of the Wildcat formation, powered into the end zone from two yards out to give Worcester a 7–0 lead.

The momentum continued on the next drive. Junior quarterback MJ Bakaysa (Plainville, CT) connected with James in the flat, and James stretched for the pylon to extend the Lancers' lead to 14–0. After another defensive stop, the Blue and Gold went back to work. Bakaysa hit sophomore Jack Poirier (Wellesley, MA) on a pair of beautiful deep balls before calling his own number, running it in from 11 yards out to push the lead to 21–0. Framingham State managed a late first-half touchdown off a strong punt return, but Worcester State held firm and took a 21–7 lead into halftime.

The Lancers opened the second half with another productive drive, though it stalled on third down, setting up a 32-yard field goal from sophomore Louie Freitas (Dartmouth, MA) to make it 24–7. Worcester continued to move the ball well, but a costly pick-six by Bakaysa tightened the score and swung momentum back to the Rams.

The fourth quarter became a gritty defensive battle, with both teams trading stops. Freitas knocked through another field goal, this time from 33 yards, to extend the Lancers' lead to 27–21. Worcester's defense held strong, but a missed field goal late gave Framingham State one final chance. The Rams capitalized, finding the end zone as time expired to steal a 28–27 victory.

Bakaysa finished with 196 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while junior Lance Williams (Westerly, RI) put together a standout performance with 15 receptions for 135 yards. Freitas also had a standout performance on special teams with 4 punts for 179 yards with one being placed on the 1 yard line to pin the defense and stopped potential scoring plays for the Rams with two tackles in the game.